Flight deals

Fly High with Alaska Airlines at San Diego Zoo

6/5/2014 8:55 a.m.

Fly with the birds at the San Diego Zoo and become part of a social media campaign to raise awareness for flighted creatures through a unique partnership with Alaska Airlines. As the official airline sponsor of the Zoo, Alaska Airlines will be featured on the Zoo's iconic Skyfari aerial tram gondolas. During trips on the Skyfari in June, guests will be encouraged to tweet their thoughts about flying animals of all kinds in conjunction with the Zoo's national spokesperson, Rick Schwartz, as he tries to set a record for the longest ride on Skyfari.

"The San Diego Zoo has a reputation for being one of the world's best," said Mark Bocchi, Alaska Airlines' managing director of sales and community marketing. "San Diego Zoo Global's conservation efforts are a natural fit with our commitment to sustainability, and we're excited to help our customers explore more with this wonderful organization."

With efforts that have reduced its carbon footprint by 30 percent over the past decade, significant recycling initiatives and using satellite-based navigation to fly more efficiently, Alaska Airlines' environmental initiatives made the airline a partner of choice for the San Diego-based conservation organization.

"In 2013, Alaska Airlines was ranked the most fuel-efficient domestic carrier in the United States by the International Council on Clean Transportation," said Ted Molter, chief marketing officer for San Diego Zoo Global. "This is just one of the many impressive green statistics that make it the perfect transportation partner for our organization."

Alaska Airlines has an award-winning inflight recycling program, and has succeeded in reducing waste-per-passenger by 52 percent since 2010. Each of the carrier's flight kitchens recycle the aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass collected by flight attendants. Alaska Airlines operates 52 peak-day flights to and from San Diego to 14 destinations.

About San Diego Zoo GlobalThe San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to bringing endangered species back from the brink of extinction. The Conservancy makes possible the wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) of the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, and international field programs in more than 35 countries. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

About Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.